White Rock Works (from Landore Social Club footbridge)

Image: © vectorkraft Taken: 8 May 1998

This 1998 view of the White Rock Works site was taken from Landore Social Club footbridge (accessible from Neath Road). Landore Social Club (SA1 2LE) is housed in one of the historic copperworks buildings, originally the offices of the Hafod Copperworks of Vivian and Sons. It was later used as a social space for staff of ICI Landore and then Yorkshire Imperial Metals until it closed in 1981. The White Rock Copper Works were established in the Lower Swansea Valley in 1737 by John Hoblyn. The works were operated by Thomas Coster and Company. The company was renamed c1739 as Joseph Percivall and Copper Company and they operated the works until 1764 at which date the company was re-formed as John Freeman and Copper Company. From c1870 the works worked lead and silver and were operated by Williams, Foster and Company and Vivian and Sons until 1874, Vivian and Sons from c1874 until 1924, and British Copper Manufacturers' Limited 1924-1928. The ramp in the right distance originally connected with Kilvey Hill via further inclines. White Rock Quay runs just to the right on the River Tawe. White Rock Works finally closed in 1929 and the waste tips were cleared from 1967 onwards. Taken on an early digital camera.

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